Grant deadline: June 06, 2025
In January 2022, Rhode Island joined the national opioid settlement with three major opioid distributors, leading to over $90 million in funding for state and local efforts to address Rhode Island’s opioid crisis. Together with settlements secured by Attorney General Neronha, Rhode Island’s opioid litigation recoveries total more than $200 million over the next 18 years.
The Settlement Agreement states that all the funds will be directed to opioid abatement – including expanding access to opioid use disorder prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery.
Building on past partnerships in 2023 and 2024, the Rhode Island Foundation is working with the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) to make funding totaling $2,475,000 available – fully supported with settlement dollars – in four categories. A description of those four categories is included below:
Trauma Supports
$625,000 is available to fund programming for trauma supports for Rhode Island first responders, this includes support for peer harm reduction and recovery specialists.
We know that the number of overdoses in Rhode Island have decreased over the past year but there are still a large number of fatal and non-fatal overdoses occurring and people who work on the front lines of the crisis are experiencing post-traumatic stress symptoms. Based on feedback from community partners and emergency medical services professionals, the most effective approach to addressing trauma associated with being a first responder would be to fund trauma supports fully or partially outside of their place of work. Day-to-day trauma experienced by first responders is a risk that leads to burn-out and other mental health symptoms. We also know that due to stigma most first responders are less likely to seek typical clinical treatment.
Therefore, we are seeking to fund innovative trauma-informed programs for first responders (including emergency medical personnel, law enforcement, and peer responders). Programs should be designed to address these traumas fully or partially outside of their respective workplaces to allow first responders to have a safe space to address workplace traumas with the goal of preventing mental health crises and helping first responders more easily return to work.
Trauma Supports proposals may be for projects that are up to two years in duration. We anticipate making two to four awards in this category.
Individual, Family, and Community Recovery Supports and Capital
$850,000 is available to support programming by organizations made up of or serving individuals, families, and communities affected by the opioid crisis by increasing individual and/or community recovery capital. This includes supporting families of people who use drugs, who are in recovery, or who have passed away because of an overdose.
It also includes programming focused on increasing individual and community recovery capital, including holistic recovery programming, community recovery capital building through community events, activities, and other community-focused programming.
While there is no one-size-fits-all solution for helping individuals and families who are dealing with opioid or substance use disorder, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) research shows that individual, family, and community support can play a major role in helping to build recovery capital.
Therefore, we are seeking to fund creative supportive or empowering programs carried out by organizations focused on increasing individual, family, or community recovery capital for people and families affected by the overdose crisis.
Proposals in the of Individual, Family, and Community Recovery Supports and Capital may be for projects that are up to two years in duration. We anticipate making two to four awards in this category.
Youth Community-Based Prevention
$700,000 is available to support evidence-based or evidence-informed community-based trauma supports, opioid prevention services, and leadership opportunities targeted towards youth and young adults.
Research supports the need for community-based prevention activities for youth and is a priority of the Governor's Overdose Prevention Task Force with a commitment to critical investments in effective programs and strategies for community change. This includes programs and partnerships that aim to create supportive environments and empower communities to address issues such as bullying, substance use, and other risks. The primary goal is to address disproportionally impacted, high-risk communities with trauma-informed and culturally sensitive interventions.
Therefore, we are seeking to fund projects that are evidence-based or evidence-informed and that can impact a significant number of individuals, with a particular focus on reducing racial and ethnic disparities and reaching other high-need populations, including members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Youth Community-Based Prevention proposals may be for projects that are up to two years in duration. We anticipate making two to four awards in this category.
Emerging Issues
$300,000 is available to support emerging issues in response to the ever-changing overdose epidemic.
The nature of the epidemic requires data-informed, innovative and adaptable responses as changes and challenges develop. For example, there has been a recent need for increased outreach within the hospitality industry to help address the needs of recreational drug users and individuals who use multiple substances, including stimulants. Expanded canvassing efforts, strategies that prioritize engagement with populations over 45 years of age, and flexible approaches that address the impact of changing drug supplies are necessary areas of need. The coming months may increase the need for these services or see new needs arise.
Therefore, we are seeking to fund activities that focus on addressing the evolving overdose epidemic, including outreach to private locations and targeted outreach to populations that are disproportionately impacted or marginalized, including communities of color, the LGBTQ+ community, and aging populations.
Emerging Issues proposals may be for one year of funding only. We anticipate making three to five awards in this category.
Wondering if you should apply? Here are some things to consider.
- Organizations with a demonstrated track record of opioid prevention, harm reduction, treatment, or recovery activity.
- Organizations that are committed to promoting equity and eliminating disparities – especially racial and ethnic disparities - as evidenced by their mission statements, publicly stated program priorities, data collection practices, etc.
- To meet the State’s focus on equity and eliminating disparities, organizations led by members of Rhode Island’s BIPOC community, LGBTQ+ Rhode Islanders, Veteran Rhode Islanders, Rhode Islanders with disabilities, and others who are disproportionately impacted by overdose are especially welcome to apply.
- Individual nonprofit or collaborations of 501(c) organizations located in and serving the state of Rhode Island are eligible to apply.
- This program does not fund individuals, scholarships or research, capital or endowment efforts, or fundraising events.
- Grants may support faith-based organizations for secular programs or projects.
- The Rhode Island Foundation believes that our community can best be served by charitable organizations that both reflect and serve the diversity of our community. We do not award grants to applicants or for programs that have a policy that discriminates against any person or group in any way that is either unlawful or inconsistent with the mission or values of the Foundation.
Applicants must apply by June 6, 2025. See below for application link.
Notifications of decisions will be made in August 2025.
In addition to the priorities listed above, we request that applicants pay close attention to the following statement from EOHHS, our partner, in this grant program:
EOHHS acknowledges the history of institutional and structural racism and its impact on health. We are committed to improving the quality of life for all Rhode Island residents while eliminating the inequities that threaten the lives of low-income and communities of color who are disproportionately affected by substance use, chronic diseases, and their risk factors. Applicants to this Opioid Settlement-funded grant program shall describe in detail how your organization acknowledges and addresses institutional and structural racism, and how your project aims to improve the health of Rhode Island’s BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities, as well as people with disabilities and veterans – and how it seeks to eliminate these disparities through programming and policies.
Additionally, aligned with EOHHS’ commitment to racial equity and as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) standards.
EOHHS has identified the following priority populations of focus for our equity considerations:
- Members of High-Density Communities
- Members of BIPOC Communities
- People w/ Incarceration History
- Members of the LGBTQ+ Community
- People with Disabilities
- People or Families Experiencing Homelessness
- Transition-Aged Youth
Potential grantees may also consult the Equity Plan within the Rhode Island Behavioral Health System of Care Plan for Children and Youth.
Given these priorities, applications should consider the following throughout their application:
Applications should align with the following Rhode Island Opioid Settlement Guiding Principles and State’s 2023 Overdose Task Force Strategic Plan:
Click here for a summary chart of the opioid mitigation-related activities that are allowable for funding with Settlement dollars. Applicants must be able to justify connections with at least one of these allowable uses.
Grantees will be required to provide updates on progress on a quarterly basis, for EOHHS’ use in reporting on the opioid settlement progress.
Please note that grantees will be required to participate with EOHHS staff to discuss programmatic progress. In addition, grantees will be required to participate in Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee and Overdose Task Force meetings, when applicable, to present their program’s progress.
Application Materials
Application
To apply for this funding opportunity, click here. See opportunity-specific criteria included above.
Please click here to preview a sample application.
Proposal Budget
Please complete the budget form and upload it to your application.
Organizational Budget
Please include your organization's budget for the current fiscal year with year-to-date actuals (not required for public schools and hospitals).
Financials
Please include your organization's most recent audited financials or 990 if available, or your most recent board-approved financial statement (not required for public schools or local municipalities).
Board List
Please attach a copy of your organization's board list.
IRS 501(c) Tax Determination Letter (not a tax-exempt certificate)
Required only if your organization has never applied to the Rhode Island Foundation for funding. If an organization is serving as the fiscal agent for this project, please submit the IRS 501(c) tax determination letter for the fiscal agent.
For correspondence and documents generated by a source that is not electronic/digital, like the tax determination letter, create an electronic/digital file by scanning the document into the computer. It is suggested that you store these documents either on your computer or on a digital/electronic alternative to which you have access, to assist in answering any additional questions related to your request.
To assure that the correct documents are being uploaded, please make note of the folder or location of the files that will be submitted to the Rhode Island Foundation.